HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Experiments

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Home Office inspectors were employed with (a) veterinary and (b) medical qualifications to implement the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in each of the last five years; and how many establishments are designated under the Act.

Angela Eagle: The information in respect of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate is as follows.
	
		
			 Year Number with veterinary qualifications Number with medical qualifications Total 
		
		
			 1996 11 6 17 
			 1997 13 5 18 
			 1998 16 5 21 
			 1999 17 4 21 
			 2000 17 4 21 
		
	
	The number of establishments designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as at 22 June 2001 was 253.

Salvia Divinorum

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the legal status of the hallucinogen Salvia divinorum.

Bob Ainsworth: The Government are not aware of any evidence of significant misuse of this plant and have no current plans to review its legal status. The Medicines Control Agency investigates the trade in so-called "herbal highs" and can prosecute suppliers of unlicensed medicinal products.